Month: December 2010

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beautiful Girls Kick Off East Coast Tour

Mat McHugh has just returned to Oz after touring the United States solo with the John Butler Trio, and he’s wasted no time getting back together with his Beautiful Girls band mates.

The band is kicking off a new tour in Sydney tonight to promote their new song “My Mind is an Echo Chamber.” The track is the third single lifted from The Beautiful Girls’ fourth album Spooks.

You can see The Beautiful Girls doing their thing over summer at the following shows.

10 December 2010 – Mona Vale Hotel, Sydney
6 January 2011 – Waves, Wollongong
7 January 2011 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
8 January 2011 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba
12 & 13 January 2011 – Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
14 January 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
15 January 2011 – The Hi Fi, Brisbane
16 January 2011 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra
20 January 2011 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
21 January 2011 – POW Bandroom, Melbourne
22 January 2011 – Pier Live, Frankston
23 January 2011 – Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads

Image source: Hayden Jose @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Dynamites Back in Australia for Summer Festivals

The Dynamites are another exciting act who are wasting no time in returning to our shores. They were only here in April, but already this soulful outfit featuring Charles Walker are planning a return visit.

The Dynamites are heading Down under to promote their new album, aptly titled Kaboom, which hits stores on January 7. The new tour will see them play prestigious local festivals and a sideshow in Melbourne.

If you like old school soul, you don’t want to miss these shows.

27-29 December 2010 – The Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
30 December 2010 – Peats Ridge Festival, Peats Ridge
6-7 January 2011 – The Order of Melbourne, Melbourne
8 January 2011 – Sydney Festival First Night, Sydney
9 January 2011 – Becks Bar @ Sydney Festival, Sydney

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

De La Soul Back in Oz for Anniversary Album Tour

When De La Soul announced their Australian tour last year, I was pretty surprised. I was even more surprised when the shows sold out. Decades had passed since the hip hop band charted with songs like “Ring Ring” and “(A Rollerskatin Jam Called) Saturdays” after all.

Clearly the band was encouraged by those sold out shows, because a year later they’re heading back to our shores. If you missed out on tickets last time around, or you’re just ready for a second serve, make sure you check out the shows next February. The gigs will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of the seminal album De La Soul is Dead, and see the band playing the record from start to finish.

General release tickets go on sale on December 13 in Melbourne, the 14th in Sydney, and 17th in Perth. But if you want to get a jump on the competition, head to Peace Music. They’re selling discounted $55 tickets, but there are just 150 for each city so you’ll need to be quick!

10 February 2011 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
11 February 2011 – Billboards, Melbourne
12 February 2011 – Metro City, Perth

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Dean Named in New York Post It List

The New York Post always has its finger on the pulse, so when it names one of our musicians as someone to watch in 2011 you know they’re something pretty special. Quirky cabaret pop songstress Emma Dean is the only Aussie on the list of “Top 10 Artists to Know in 2011.”

That’s not bad for a girl from Queensland who only launched her second album, Dr Dream & the Imaginary Pop Cabaret, a couple of weeks ago!

“Singer, songwriter and self proclaimed ringmaster Emma Dean is a hobobag full of crazy pills. Like the really awesome hallucinogenic kind,” the New York Post gushed, before saying we should “Just sample her monster Broadway single ‘Sincerely Fearful,’ which is 50% Wicked and 50% Tori Amos and 100% addictive, and you will find an unavoidable sound worthy of the repeat button.”

So if you didn’t sample Emma’s song the last time I posted it, what are you waiting for? It’s only a matter of time before this unique Aussie talent makes it big.

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Earl Cole Does Disco for New Years Eve

Western Australian crooner Earl Cole will show us a very different side when he slips on his disco shoes this New Years Eve. He’s part of the Disco Inferno show taking over the South of Perth Yacht Club on December 31.

Earl will appear with Chelsea J Gibson, DJ Grandmaster Mac, and the Inferno Dangers for a boogielicious evening of 70s disco and funk. Make sure you dress in your best glad rags, as there’ll be prizes and giveaways for the hippest male and female.

Tickets cost $165, which isn’t bad at all when you consider that includes cocktail food, a cocktail on arrival, and all the beer, wine, bubbly, and soft drink you need. They’re available now through Heatseeker.

Image source: Alessandro Paiva @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Nash Announces Side Shows

Kate Nash fans who’ve missed out on Playground Weekender tickets need not fret; the British songstress has just announced a string of side shows.

Kate will play capital cities along the east coast in support of her new album My Best Friend is You. The disc sees Kate delving into new territory inspired by the swinging sixties. Big soulful brass sounds and a little surf guitar color her unique brand of pop.

My Best Friend is You also defies the notion that it takes heartache to create great music. The album unashamedly documents her relationship with Ryan Jarman of The Cribs, and she doesn’t care who knows it!

“I don’t want to be gushy and weird about it, but I am in love!,” she said in a statement. “I don’t worry about making myself too vulnerable: I always write with my heart on my sleeve. If you don’t then you’re not living.”

You can catch the romantic Kate Nash next year at the following venues. Tickets for the sideshows go on sale on December 13, and you can get your Playground Weekender tickets now.

16 February 2011 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney
18 February 2011 – Billboard, Melbourne
19 February 2011 –  Hi-Fi, Brisbane
20 February 2011 – Playground Weekender Festival, Wisemans Ferry

Image used with permission from Playground Weekender

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Hyperspace Clearance” – Dan Webb

Dan Webb takes his cues from the world of classic rock with his sophomore EP, Hyperspace Clearance.

It’s a suitably far out name for a disc which revels in the music of the 60s and 70s. It’s not a carbon copy of the acts that came before, but Dan certainly wears his influences on his sleeve. He allows the artists of the past to inform his music, adding a hint of psychedelia here and a whiff of progressive rock there.

Perhaps it’s my love of The Doors that makes “These Walls” the standout for me. I love its cool, rollicking bass line and lush Hammond organ. Vocally Dan Webb is a world away from Jim Morrison’s lush baritone, but if the band were to have gone in a different direction I imagine they’d have made a song like this.

Dan’s heavy handed piano style, quirky songwriting, and musical smarts make a big impression. He creates a really lush sound by layering up to six keyboards over one another; it’s reminiscent of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound in the very best way. Clearly this is an artist who enjoys experimenting. On this disc we see him learning about his potential and sound. But rather than feeling simply like we’re listening to someone testing things out, we enjoy being taken on this musical journey.

In just four songs Dan Webb makes a big impression with Hyperspace Clearance, one which leaves me wondering where he’ll take us next.

Image source: JB HiFi website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Telstra Road to Tamworth’s Top 10 Announced

The 17 finalists from the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition have been whittled down to just 10 after the recent boot camp in Sydney and a performance at the Telstra V8 Supercars.
Telstra Road to Tamworth Finalists
There are seven left in the performer’s category: Queenslanders Alan Boyle, Nikki Jenson, and Shandell Tosoni Benobble, Victoria’s Gena Rose Bruce and Harry Hookey, Codee-Lee Down of Western Australia, and Kirsty Elwell from New South Wales. The last three songwriters left standing are Queensland’s Amela Duheric, Western Australia’s Craig Sinclair, and Dave Garnham from the Northern Territory.

The final ten will compete at the Telstra Road to Tamworth finals, to be held on January 18 as part of the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival. A winner from each category will be announced, and that’s when the real fun starts. The victors will win a trip to Nashville and 12-months mentorship with some of the music industry’s biggest names. It sounds like massive things are ahead for the talented twosome!

If you want to get out and support them you can buy tickets for the final through the Telstra Country Music Festival website.

Image used with permission from Javelin Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Perth’s Rosemount Hotel Not So Silent for Christmas

Perth’s Rosemount Hotel will ring in the silly season next Saturday night with its Not So Silent Night party. This annual event is so big it’s going to take one stage inside the venue and another one in the street to get things done!

This year’s party is set to be one of the best ever with acts from all over the country. Local rockers Sugar Army heads up the bill, which also features Sydney indie act Cabins, Adelaide’s Coerce, Young Revelry, Grim Fandango, The Caballeros, and The Growl. And that’s just for starters.

Doors open at 4 pm for this big Christmas bash. Get your tickets from Planet Video, Mills Records, Star Perth, and Heatseeker.

Image source: Kym McLeod @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Something Special from The Honey Month

It’s rare to come across a band that feels really original. After all, there are only so many different instruments, and so many different notes they can play. But after listening to The Honey Month’s new song “Foliage,” I’m beginning to think they might be one of those rare gems.

Their sound is so exciting. Synths combine with heavy drums and a bunch of other sounds I can’t quite put my finger on to create something so lush and organic. The film clip is also gorgeous with all those fairy lights.

The Honey Month have been creating a bit of buzz after recent support slots with Glenn Richards and You Am I. Something tells me it’s only a matter of time before they’re regular headliners.